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Historic ales to be revived for Manchester Beer Week

Four breweries in Greater Manchester are to recreate a collection of beers, some dating back more than 100 years, for Manchester Beer Week.

Three recipes have been taken from the archives of JW Lees and adapted for modern techniques and tastes, while a fourth beer will be revived from a now closed down brewery in Stalybridge.

Blackjack are to recreate Lees’ 1951 C Ale, a Manchester-specific style of dark, strong ale; Squawk Brewing are making their own version of Lees’ 1952 Stout while Beer Nouveau are heading even further back in time to make Lees’ XXX strong ale, which dates back to 1903.

Meanwhile, Stalybridge’s Ticketybrew will be bringing back an Invalid Stout from Heginbotham’s, a brewery which was formerly owned and operated by Robinsons.

Connor Murphy, the organiser of Manchester Beer Week, said: “Although there has been a lot of talk about the beer boom in Manchester, it is also important to remember the city’s brewing heritage.

“It represents an intriguing challenge for the brewers involved as they will need to adapt these historical styles to suit modern techniques, ingredients and equipment while staying as true to the original beers as possible.”

The beers will be launched at The Smithfield on Monday June 13 at an event which will include a talk from beer historian Ron Pattinson.